gjm

I'll drop you a PM in the morning once I'm more awake. Thanks.

Bonnet up, one paw on the bumper, pointing out the shortcomings in my engineering performance...

Thanks Ron. It's not an affliction in our case - just a need so Miss M can do her photography homework. Any news on a potential Tauranga/Tron visit?

This certainly does:

In the UK, there's (among others) Grays of Westminster who sell new and used cameras and lenses, and everything else you could possibly need. Is there anywhere in NZ that does a similar thing? Searching hasn't helped me so far... Specifically, I'm looking for Nikon Nikkor DX lenses.

Books. I like books.

Sold!

Anyone want to buy a 320d Touring for $10k?

SUV drivers who think they have a right to join a highway from a slip road. Don't these idiots know the dotted line means 'give way'? It doesn't mean use your plastic fantastic souped up Toyota Yaris on stilts to push other cars around.

There's a staggered set of Alpinas from an E36 in Chch for sale at an asking of 'around $1000'. No connection to me but I'm happy to forward details if they might be of interest.

Dang! If you're back, please let me know. I hope to have something sorted, but you never know. Thanks.

So that's where the water is getting in! I did wonder. We need a forum member's gallery for this.

I'd need a demo...

Will do.

Lol I just wanted an in-the-system, relatively easy to get on the road, manual coupe! It really does fit the bill for what we're after. I do have an in the system PFL rolling shell here...

Not sure what the discussion point is, but the gentleman in question is definitely thoughtful.

<groan...>

There's likely to be something less complete but similar available over here in the not too far distant future. Be assured - it's gone to a very good cause.

When you're short of money and have no space for more cars, or enough time to work on the ones you have, what do you do? Buy another car. D'oh. I've agreed to buy a(nother) E30. This one is red and in Tauranga, a 1990 316i manual. It does need work but is NZ new, rego is live although WoF is out. The M40B16 needs some inlet side parts before it'll run again, and it needs a couple of front seats. Other than that, it's a poverty-spec car. Perfect for Miss M. I have 1.5 E30s here already, but there is increasing noise along the lines of "I want an auto." I'm sticking to my guns on this - she'll learn to drive in a manual, and then if she wants an auto, so be it. The thinking behind this is that this car should be roadworthy and legal for less time, effort and money than anything I have planned. What happens to the other 1.5 is up for debate but at least one coupe rolling shell will be for sale, probably sooner rather than later. Anyway, the red car is in Tauranga and I need to get it to Te Kauwhata. I have access to a legal trailer but nothing to tow it with. Usual payment applies - beer, food, fuel, )even money if that's really necessary). If anyone can help, especially if they know anything about E30s, I'd be absolutely chuffed to bits to hear from them. I've sent a couple of PMs as well, but ideally would like to sort this next weekend, but any time is good.

The convolution continues. Latest idea is a 'pyramid' structure of presenters with his most gingerness, the Christopher of Evans, at the top. Two people below him - Matt Le Blanc (Porsche GT2 driver) and.... Eddie Jordan. Yes. Him of F1 team ownership fame. Below them (and I don't think I'd want to be below Chris Evans, let alone anyone else!) would be Chris Harris, Stig, Sabine Schmidt and possibly one other. This could mean the show is going to take a slightly different direction, with less silliness and more industry news. I'd welcome that... The most recent TG format was getting a bit trying. Doesn't need a return to the days of William Woollard (did you know he was an RAF fighter pilot?) and a young Tiff Needell, but a bit more actually about cars and the like would be welcome.

Fixed the rear centre seatbelt on the 320d. Bugger of a job, and it seems not an unusual problem. Symptoms are a seatbelt that seems to hang correctly, but does not withdraw from the reel at all. The mechanism is designed to lock when the seat is folded, and unlock when raised. Problems occur when the seat is 'enthusiastically' locked back into position after being folded. I had to remove the seatback, then remove the back of the seat so I could get to the mech. That's the difficult bit - I was able to 'persuade' the mechanism to release the belt and even after refitting, it still works as it should. I'm going to get a new belt button as the currently fitted one appears damaged and is perhaps allowing the belt to wind back too far.

More TG news: Matt LeBlanc (Joey from 'Friends') is set to join Chris Evans. Matt is a real car guy too - loves his Porsches (TechArt is his tuner of choice) and Ferraris (non-standard, whenever possible), and races dirt bikes. No mention of ever owning a BMW, though. Not sure where this leaves t'other Chris and Sabine who have already been seen recording segments for the program.

D'oh! Oh... All right then.

They're a closer match for diameter and offset. Now what excuse am I going to use to empty the garage to get to those wheels? ;-)

If they don't fit over your calipers, you have a problem! Offset could also be an issue, but as my rims are et47 - close enough to yours for this purpose - that may not arise. You're welcome to give them a go.